American Express Perks at Equinox Gyms
If your list of New Year's resolutions includes getting back to the gym, then I wanted to share a valuable little credit card perk that can help get you back into fighting shape for less money.
In addition to the other valuable perks of the Amex Platinum card that I've talked about before, I found a little-discussed one in partnership with Equinox gyms.
When you sign up for a new membership with Equinox and pay with your Platinum Amex you get four free training sessions and a free 50-minute signature massage or facial in the first year. The training sessions start at about $75 each, and a 50-minute massage is $115, so that means you get a combined value of $415, almost making up for the $450 annual fee for the card. There are also ongoing benefits after Year 1 including discounts on bundles of personal training sessions (like 2 extra sessions when you buy 6 or more, 4 extras with the purchase of 12 or more, etc.), as well as coupons for the gym's shop. Additionally, when I signed up in August they told me they'd waive the initiation fee since I was a Platinum cardholder event though it's not an official benefit, so it never hurts to ask!
The best benefits, however, go to cardholders of the exclusive Amex Centurion card (and they better, with a joining fee of $5,000 and a hefty $2,500 annual fee!), and include the same "special membership pricing" and four personal training sessions, as well as three 50-minute massages or facials and unspecified other "additional benefits" throughout your first year. In subsequent years, Centurion holders will get the same personal training session bundle discounts and shop coupons as well as two free massages with the purchase of a pack of 10 massages.
Amex Gold benefits aren't quite as rich, and only include "special membership pricing" (presumably you can negotiate a better rate), 15% off a single spa service, 15% off a one-time purchase at The Shop, and a one-week guest pass.
These perks are valid only for new, one-year memberships purchased at the standard monthly or paid-in-full rate. Payment must be made using the member's American Express card, and benefits may not be substituted for any other services of products, and they are not valid for corporate memberships. Personal training sessions expire six months after enrollment.
A lot of gyms offer promotional rates in January to lure in new members hoping to work off that holiday weight and ring the new year in on a healthy note. So if you're thinking about joining a gym, or looking to switch, now might just be the best time to take advantage of low membership rates and reap all the benefits your Amex card offers.
I'm a member of Equinox myself, and can vouch for the professional, clean, excellent facilities of the various locations of this upscale gym chain that I've used in New York, Miami and Los Angeles. I've also found their personal training sessions to be a great way to get back into shape and my trainer even works with me to figure out how I can maintain my workouts on the road (which is extremely hard to do, especially when traveling across multiple timezones).
Equinox isn't the cheapest option, but using your Amex card can get you valuable perks. I'd recommend trying to negotiate and always check to see if you have a corporate discount.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.